Local officials: Prayer should be allowed

S. BRADY CALHOUN / The News Herald

Monday

May 27, 2013 at 12:01 AMMay 27, 2013 at 6:27 PM

PANAMA CITY — The U.S. Supreme Court will hear later this year a case that could determine whether praying before government meetings, a common practice across the country and especially prevalent in the Panhandle, is legal.

PANAMA CITY — The U.S. Supreme Court will hear later this year a case that could determine whether praying before government meetings, a common practice across the country and especially prevalent in the Panhandle, is legal.

Every local leader contacted by The News Herald this week said the court should uphold the tradition.

“I really think that should be a local decision,” said Bay District Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt. “I get frustrated when people try to tell us how to live our lives. I just think this is another area of federal control.”

County Commission Chairman George Gainer said a ruling against the practice of prayer would violate his rights and the rights of other board members.

“To eliminate that from the meeting would certainly interfere with our freedom of religion and freedom of speech,” Gainer said. “I believe that this country was founded on a firm faith in God and I believe that our forefathers meant for God to be a big part of our way of life. I believe that’s what made this country great and will continue to make it great.”

The case the Supreme Court will be hearing was filed by Americans United for Separation of Church and State against the city of Greece, N.Y. The group successfully argued the city was promoting religion because most of the prayers were Christian in nature.

On its website the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United, stated the prayer policy was favoring one group over another.

“A town council meeting isn’t a church service, and it shouldn’t seem like one,” Lynn said. “Government can’t serve everyone in the community when it endorses one faith over others. That sends the clear message that some are second-class citizens based on what they believe about religion.”

Local officials said they make a habit of asking representatives from different Christian denominations to pray before the meetings. Husfelt said representatives from other religions also had been invited to come and pray.

However, no one would argue that most of the prayers made before local government meetings are Christian in nature.

Panama City Beach Mayor Gayle Oberst said other religious leaders are welcome to start the proceedings at city meetings.

“Most of our prayers are for the men and women in service and for the City Council to do the correct and good things,” Oberst said. “I don’t think it would matter in what faith the prayers were offered.”

Oberst, Husfelt and Gainer all said that no one at any point has ever complained to them about prayer prior to government meetings.